Apparatus for adjusting vehicle headlamps



June 14, 1960 c. A. SHOEMAKER 2,940,174

APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING VEHICLE HEADLAMPS Filed July 19, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CLYDE A. SHOEMAKER Mi/W.

ATTORNEY June 14, '1960 c. A. SHOEMAKER 2,940,174

APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING vamcu: HEADLAMPS Filed July 19, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CLYDE A. SHOEMAKER ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 c. A.SHOEMAKER 2,940,174

APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING VEHICLE HEADLAMPS Filed July 19, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR CLYDE A. SHOEMAKER ATTORNEY C. A. SHOEMAKERAPPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING VEHICLE HEADLAMPS June 14, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed July 19, 1956 INVENTOR CLYDE A.SHOEMAKER BY NW r11-- q/CJ.

ATTORNEY nire States Patent APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING VEHICLE HEADLAMPSClyde A. Shoemaker, Pewamo, Mich., assignor to Food Machinery andChemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware FiledJuly 19, 1956, Ser. No. 598,864

15 (Jlalms. (Cl. 33-180) The present invention appertains to anapparatus for use in adjusting vehicle headlamps, and more particularlyrelates to an improved device adapted for use in adjusting headlampshaving bosses formed on the lens thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide a headlamp adjustingapparatus, which is adjustable with facility and ease of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a headlampadjusting apparatus adaptable for use with headlamps having lens bossesthereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a headlampadjusting apparatus having improved mountings for a light beam projectorand target.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a headlampadjusting apparatus having an improved adjustable mounting for a gravityresponsive leveling device.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective of headlamp adjusting apparatusembodying the invention and illustrated mounted upon headlamps of avehicle.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the headlamp adjustingapparatus, partially broken away to illustrate the lens boss.

Fig. 3 is a section of the headlamp adjusting apparatus takensubstantially along line 33 of Fig. 2 with parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective, having a part broken away, of theheadlamp adjusting apparatus mounted on a headlamp.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the mountingarrangement for a light beam projector.

Fig. 6 is a section taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 3,illustrating the mounting of the batteries for the light beam projector.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective illustrating the mountingof the batteries for the light beam projector.

In Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 is illustrated having a pair of headlamps 11.Each headlamp includes a housing 12 universally mounted on the vehicle10 in a conventional manner. In order to provide vertical and horizontaladjustment for the housing 12, vertical adjusting screw 13 andhorizontal adjusting screw 14, respectively, are provided. The verticaland horizontal adjustments are conventional and well known. The headlamp11 comprises a sealed beam unit having a lens 15 suitably mounted in thehousing 12 by a conventional retaining ring 16. The sealed beam unitmoves as a unit with the housing 12 in response to the universalmovement and adjustment of the housing 12.

A headlamp adjusting apparatus 17 (Figs. 3 and 4) includes a pair ofheadlamp aiming devices 18 adapted to be temporarily mounted on theheadlamps 11, respectively. For mounting the aiming device 18 to theheadlamp'll, each aiming device 18 comprises a rigid, symmetrical,bowl-shaped member 19. The rigid member 19 has an annular flange 24,which encompasses three glass bosses or aiming pads 21 of the lens 15,and a radial flange 25, which abuts against and is seated upon frontsurfaces 22 of the lens bosses 21. Each lens boss 21, which is molded onthe lens 15, has substantially a right triangular cross-sectional areaand includes the front surface 22. During the manufacture of the lens15, each front surface is accurately disposed with respect to thecentral axis of the lens 15 so that a plane through the from surfaces 22of the three lens bosses 21 is normal to the longitudinal axis throughthe headlamp 11. Thus the radial flange 25 is normal to the longitudinalaxis of the rigid member 19 and, when seated on the lens bosses 21, isnormal to the central axis of the lens 15. Accordingly, the longitudinalaxis of the rigid member 19, when the radial flange 25 abuts against thefront surfaces 22 in even contact, is parallel to the longitudinal axisof the headlamp 11 and preferably is aligned therewith.

The rigid member 19 includes a ring section 27 which contributes to therigidity thereof, and an arcuate section 28, which has configurationsimilar to a portion of a paraboloid. Integrally formed with the arcuatesection 28 of the rigid member 19 is an annular flange 29. The flange 29has a flat end portion 30, which is parallel with the radial flange 25.Therefore, the flat end portion 30 is normal to the longitudinal axisthrough the rigid member 19, as well as to the longitudinal axis throughthe headlamp 11.

Referring to Fig. 3, in order to anchor the aiming device 18 to theheadlamp 11, a clamping arrangement 31 is provided. The clampingarrangement 31 comprises an elongated rod 32, which is received by asuitable centrally disposed aperture 33 of the flat portion 36 toprovide accurate alignment for the rod 32. The rod 32- at one end isattached to a vacuum cup 34 which is formed of rubber-like material andis adapted to adhere by vacuum to the outer surface of the lens 15. Atthe vacuum cup end, the rod 32 is provided with an annular projection 35which is seated in a recess 36 of the cup 34, thereby providing ananchor for the aiming device 18 through the vacuum cup 34. The other endof rod 32 is provided with a threaded portion 37, which is received inthreaded engagement by a suitable clamping nut 38.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, a housing 39 is provided having at oneend thereof outwardly extending flaps 40, which are welded in flushengagement with the flat end portion 30 for securing the housing 39t0the rigid support member 19. The housing 39 encompasses the rod 32 andhas at the other end thereof a downwardly extending flap 41, in which asuitable centrally disposed aperture 42 receives the other end of rod32. The flap 41 has an annular flange 43 encompassing the aperture 42 tocentrally position the rod 32 within the housing 39. Accordingly, afterthe vacuum cup 34 is engaged with the outer surface of the lens 15, theclamp nut 38 is rotated in threaded engagement with the rod 32 andengages the flap 41 to exert a pressure thereagainst. The pressure istransferred through the housing 39 to the flaps 40. ince the flaps 40are in contact with the fiat end portion 30, the pressure so transmittedcauses the radial flange 25 to be urged in full and even contact withthe lens bosses 21. As a result thereof, the radial flange 25 isretained parallel with the plane of the front surfaces 22 of the lensbosses 21 and normal to the center line or longitudinal axis of thehousing 39.

For positioning each headlamp 11 so that the headlamp 11 has apredetermined vertical inclination to give the desired projection to theheadlamp beam, a gravityresponsive leveling device, such as a spiritlevel 44, is provided. In order to mount the spirit level 44 to theaiming device 18, the housing 39 is provided with a q r thesp ri lev 41posit a raised section or rib 45. e raised rib 45, which isparallelwiththe' longitudinah'axis of the housing-39;

has two apertures 46 and 47f(Fig. 3) therein to reecive a pair of spiritlevel mountingsereys 48 and 49. hi

' levelfliisfspaced a'suitablefdist'ancejabove the 5 rib f45jto'beadaptable; for angular displaeement.

11p ortlon'57twhichi i lbrace the I br'akt" 54:and W ichjengagesjtiielow surfaee toinaififainfanefrigagin'g 'taetvli'th thetbrack effrefe :iifd tlie'aretiifr' Att heothr g I is pr tiv idegfl a fianig e 53, .eiitenc ls late rall e" nid il ntinf'g bracket K compress ion sitio'neclbetween the head of the screvv' 49 an the rij ou'rit'ing' bracket 54.The screw 49 .is' received by the 1 slot, fillibftli'ejinounting bracktlsi, aperture 6156f the? saap r'r plat .6,and thefapeirture47 'oftheraised ribf 45,and"is"retai netl"in' adjusted position by a. threadeglinut'f 63,""Which"isvveldd to the rib'45. j Inadjusting a headlamp,the level is firstset at. a predetermined inclination 're'l'ative to the'45," which :is

the headlamp is adjusted by screw. 13; to bring: pirit ley'elitb,acentQie a position, the a i o fithe f head will have v a predetermined:angle relative -tli"hq"zblita l. ilrl drdef td preset thef'spiritllvl 0a jpr terrfiiiied inclination, as. indexing wired; 6435.1

pr Wheel- 64 includes 'a'suit'able 5055565; 4) fo'r receiving a,vertical uidej asresm slidi en ger'nf'ent." Thepost 6671ssecureetetherarse r1515; by" uitable means; such as welding. j j j V V j pmgurgedfpythe 'spring sithe raising orlowenng "q f thewhejel :64 'raisesor lowers thetsupporta, mg plate 5 6 fthereby 7 adjustabljflpositioning'the l ev el 70 comprises arconvritionaklens 73; suitable for adjustlitojhe longitudinal axis, of the lieadlampl Then, T 35 a g V V4 spirit level 44 is horizontal. is a ssurespro per vertiealadjiistriierit farms headlamp 1 1 In adjusting vehicle headlamps, it isalso desirable to make a horizontal adjustment so that the parallellight beams are projected parallel with the straight ahead travel of thevehicle or -at a t predetermined angle in- Wardly from the straightahead travel of the vehicle. For

7 positioninglr'thelheadlanips. 11:50am theiheadlamps 11 have a straightahead heafn ona predetermined: horizontal angular .displacement fronlthe straight ahead travel of;

he l e e sh im tate-de t s light beam'projector 0 (Fig ;and Referring tolfigs, 2, 3 and 5, each 11 able focusing, ang a casi ng u 'Eh e qasing.74 is a cylindrical metallic tubing and includes a suitable lightemitter, condenser lens system and object slide, not

emou plate; 72,,is. carried for a horizqntal. ,adjust1nent on a wall5tl'qoifthe housin'g 39 1 Ifhe wall o h'a's snauwo zo'nrauy'aisposeaslot 75, vvhioh a bolt 76,. car: e. hem u fi r la e Aismtah en tr etwnu'j. sl 1 antt lheheltlflre ain thelmollne ing'plate 72"ina n adjust edpositionfl Acgqrdingl L e wn in t H sthd zsm ell r i ns' i fa mentm 1 nmur o there 4 50%15 onfia l ;a justable i a i l po ien nes the bolt 76infthe slb tflsr, The mountingplate; 68 is lifi i qr q li adiu meit-hren in ll' .Y a suitable. will threaded engagement w ith" the 011: 79 l gn p jatefi ri r la iPr ied-ripqs' mdiintijigilittfifiispos' ioi e to sthe inner surfa' ic lyt iustah e thl'slif78. \"I'hmiountmg andItSSQhaVe. verit i-r,

callj" disposed substantiallj triangular shaped cutavvakr sections 8 0and 1 respe gtively, suitable for reeeji ving the h fizofitauy ea edi heam mi gmr wris watch teXfendsl-at rallv from the housing 39' and undernprrnalz-r r um nc s .l srnt ns ulara o nter me o e fi l ih ufii i l riit wav fi qn sfi sides at 4 degreesjo ,themhas ept the respectivemountjn g plates 72' of intersection ot opposite device 18. ReferringtoEig fl ihetar l get .eom see i tmaeha9lrsesursd at. n nd to a e 92 (Fi6) o f t hev vall 50 by-a sujt blenleans extending plate 96 havingindicia thereon suitable for headlamp adjustment so as to constitute achart. The depending plate 96 is centrally disposed in a vertical planecoincident with the horizontal axis of the housing 39 and normal to thebase member 91. A semi-circular section 97 (Fig. 3) is cut out of thedepending plate 96 to suitably receive the substantially horizontallydisposed light beam projector 70. It is to be noted that the plate 96 isnormal to a horizontal plane taken on the optical center of theprojector 70.

Thus, in adjusting each headlamp 11 individually, the associatedhorizontal adjusting screw 14 may be turned until the associatedheadlamp housing 12 assumes a position in which the beam or" light castby the projector 70 hits the designated area of the oppositelypositioned target 71. This assures that the position of the headlamp 11is properly adjusted.

Referring to Figs. 3, 6 and 7, a suitable source of energy, such asbatteries 98 and 99, is provided for energizing the light emitter, notshown, in the light beam projector 7G. The batteries 98 and 99 arecarried by the base member 91 of the target 71. For maintaining thebatteries 98 and 99 in a fixed position, a battery clip 1% (Fig. 6) isprovided. The battery clip 1190 is centrally disposed between thelateral ends of the supporting mem ber 39 and is mounted on the basemember 91 by an insulated post 101. Suitable motmting screws 102 and1133 are received by the battery clip 10) and the insulated post 101.The battery clip 100 has contour conforming end sections 194 and 105,which engage the batteries 98 and 99, respectively, to retain the samein a fixed position.

For establishing electrical connections from the batteries 98 and 99 tothe light beam projector 70, contact plates 166, 107 and 198 (Figs. 6and 7) are provided. Since the batteries 98 and 99 are connected inseries, contact plate 1196 is provided with two contacts 169 and 115.Contact 109 engages the negative end of battery 99, while contact 11%engages the positive terminal of battery 93. Hence, contact plate 1116establishes an electrical connection between the negative end of battery99 and the positive terminal of battery 98. Contact plate 106 isinsulated from the base plate 91 by suitable insulation, such asinsulation strip 111, which is carried by the base plate 91. Formounting the contact plate 196, an angle extension 112 is provided,which is secured to the insulated post 1111 by a screw 113.

Contact plate 107 is provided with a contact 114, which engages thepositive terminal of battery 99. For mounting contact plate 1d), anangle extension 115 (Fig. 6) is provided, which is similar to angleextension 112 of plate 106, and is secured to the insulated post 1%1 bya screw 116. Contact plate 107 is insulated from the base plate 91 by asuitable insulation, such as insulation strip 117. Connected to thecontact plate 167 is a cable 118 (Fig. 7), which extends to the one sideof a conventional toggle switch 122. The toggle switch 122 is suitablymounted on the base plate 91 and is received by an aperture 123 in thebase plate 91. The other end of the toggle switch 122 is connected by asuitable cable 124 to the light emitter, not shown, in the light beamprojector 7 G. Thus an electrical connection is established from thepositive terminal of the battery 99 to the light emitter of theprojector 7 6 through the toggle switch 122.

Contact plate 193 is mounted directly to the base plate 91 by suitablemeans such as screws 12'!) and 121. Therefore, a ground connection isestablished from the negative end of battery 98 to the base plate 91through the contact plate 168. The light emitter, not shown, of theprojector 70 is provided with an internal ground connection in aconventional manner through the metallic casing 74. The metallic casing74 is in electrical contact with the base plate 91 through the housing39 and the brackets 68 and 72. Thus, a complete ground connection isprovided to the contact plate 168. Accordingly, when the toggle switch122 is closed, the light emitter of the projector 70 17, a headllampaiming device 18 is mounted on each of the headlamps 11 with the lens 73of the light beam projectors 73 facing inward toward the center line ofthe vehicle 10. The rigid support member 19 of each aiming device 18 ispositioned so that the radial flange thereof is seated on the lensbosses 21 and the vacuum cup 3 contacts the lens 15. The member 19 isrotated so that the spirit level 44 is up and the projector '76 issubstantially horizontal. For anchoring each aiming device 18, thevacuum cup 34 is pressed against the lens 15 and the clamp nut 38 istightened to exert a pressure against the lens bosses 21. Thereupon, theadjusting wheel 6% is set for desired vertical deflection. Verticaladjusting screws 13 are then individually manipulated until both spiritlevels 44 are centered to complete the vertical adjustment. Followingthis operation, the switch 122 on the left hand aiming device 18 isclosed to complete an electrical circuit for the emission of a beam oflig t from the left hand projector id. The location of the beam of lightis noted on the right hand target 71. Horizontal adjusting screw 14 onthe left hand housing 12 is adjusted until the beam of light isprojected on a predetermined area of the right hand target 71. Followingthis step, the switch 122 on the left hand aiming device 18 is openedand the switch 122 on the right hand aiming evice 18 is closed. Thelocation of the projected beam on the left hand target '71 is noted.Horizontal adjustin screws 14 on the right hand housing 12 is adjusteduntil the projected beam of light is projected on a predetermined areaof the left hand target 71. After the adjustments are completed, theaiming devices 13 are removed from the respective headlamps 11.

it will be understood that modifications and variations of theembodiment of the invention disclosed herein may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

l. A headlamp testing device adapted for mounting on a vehicle headlamphaving aiming pads on the lens thereof, said pads having front surfacesso disposed that a plane passing parallel thereto is normal to thecentral axis of said lens, said device comprising a symmetrical supportmember having a longitudinal axis, a radial flange on said member havinga surface normal to the longitudinal axis of said support member, saidnormal flange surface being adapted to abut against said front surfacesfor positioning said member relative to said lens so that the respectivelongitudinal and central axes are parallel, and means connected betweensaid lens and said support member for holding said flange surface inabutting contact with the front surfaces of said pads.

2. A device adapted for use in the adjustment of a vehicle headlamphaving aiming pads on the lens thereof, said pads having front surfacesso disposed that a plane passing parallel thereto is normal to thecentral axis of said lens, said device comprising a support memberhaving a longitudinal axis, a flange on said member having a surfacenormal to the longitudinal axis of said support member, said normalflange surface being adapted to abut against said front surfaces andmove in the plane of the pad front surface to effect a precision contactbetween the flange surface and the pad front surfaces, means connectedbetween said lens and said support member for urging said normal flangesurface into even contact with said pads so that the longitudinal axisof said member and the central axis of said lens are parallel, and meanson said support member for indicating adjusted positions of saidheadlamp.

3. In a device adapted for use in the adjustment of zeroire 711 awh'iele headl' amp,- a} housing, a averenmswy said housing-, means'pivotally mounting -one -e'nd-of 'said level' on said housing, meansincluding. a-yieldable support plateaadjus'tably mountingthe other "endof said level I on said-housing, an indexin'g'wheel adjustably'positioned ori-said ho'nsing, a plurality of presettable' stop memberscarried by 'saidwvhe'el for selective engagement with the support plateof said adjustable mountingmeans for positioning-said-level atone-of aplurality of-predeterj mined angular settingswitli respect 'to thelongitudinal 10 axis ofsaidhousin'g; and means for mountingsaid housing'on said headlamp-so that the longitudinal axis of-the housing isparallel-to the longitudinal axis; of said head lamp wherebywhensaidlevel-ismoved to horizontal positionf-sai'd headlamp is disposedintbe desired verti l5 cally adj usfted positiono V 4.-''=In a devicefadapted fo-rf use' -in the adjustment jof a vehicle s'ealedbeamheadl'amp, a'-housing,'- a levels'up j POYl'fid-F by said housing,means pivotally mounting one end I Offsaid 'levelonsaid housing, *meansincluding a yieldable support-plate adjustably' mounting the' other endoi said' levelon said housing, a-postsecured 'tor said housing,---anindexing wheel 'adjustably' positioned on -saidpost and engaging thesupport plate of said adjustable mounting means for positioningsaidlevel atpredetermined angular-settings with respect to'the longi-'tudinal "axis of 'said housing, and means for mounting said housing onsaid sealed beam headlamp so that the longitudinal axis of thehousing isaligned with the-loni-- tudinal axis of said sealed beam headlampwhereby when saidzlevelis-moved to compensate for an angular settingsaidl-he'adlampis disposed in the desired vertically ad- V justedposition;

'5. In a device-adapted for use in-the adjustment of a vehicle headlampa housing having a raised sectionj a level supported" by said raisedsection," means-pivot-- ally mounting one end of said level onsaid-'raisedsee tion; *means adjustably" mounting the other end of said,level 'on said raised 'sectiom-a post secured to-s'aid-raised*--'section},an"indexingwheel -slidably engaging said post" for variablepositioning thereon, a I plurality of presetstop members carried-by saidWheel and arranged "thereon so that only-one-stopmember engages saidraised sec tion at'any oneset-tingof said Wheel, zit-peripheral edge on-saidwheel engaging said'adjustable mounting means 5 for variablydisposing saidlevel -ina predetermined angular I positiomwith respect'to said raisedsecltion in 1 response to-the setting of said-wheel, andmeans for-" mountingsaid hous'ingonsaid headlamp so thattheloii-Kgitudinal-ax-is thereof-is parallel to the longitudinal axis- 5g 0Es'aid headlamp-wherebywhen said level is mevedam horizontal positionsaidheadlamp is disposed in a the desired- -v'ertically adjustedposition.

6.-;I1i-a device-adapted'for use in theadjustment'of a vehidle'headlan1p-,=-ahousing, a levelsupported by said housi-n'g',n1ea'nspivotally mounting one end of said level a on saidhousing; meansadjustably mounting the other end ofsaid level'on said housing; a postsecured to said houssaid levelis-moved to 7 horizontal positionsaid-headlamp 7 is=dispesed-inthe desiredyertically adjusted position:

7; Infa headlamp testing device, a housing having two dependingwalls,"vertically disposed mounting plates, each" of said verticalmounting-plates being individually and "and aid -p1 tarn in g li'rerriii'v'ably' attached toeach of s'aid ingplate's'g a'nd- 'alightbeain projectorpositioned betweee said clips and saidmitatingpists; for removable' at tachment to said device a 1 In aheadlamp 'testing device}'a'honsing having two f dependingwall's; afirst verticallydisposed -'ino'untinglplate I supported by-on'e ofsaidiwalls, means-for horizontally" adjustin g said first plate withrespect to said onerwall,

a second vertically dispose CPmQuntingplatesupportedby the other of saidwalls, means for vertically adjusting said second plate withrespect-ftdsaid other' wall, a firstretaining cliprem'ovably attached tosaid first'plate, a secondretining clip removably attached to saidsecond'plate;

and a lig :beairi projector positioned" between' -said clips v grsrremovable attach'ment to"said"deyice;-- 9. ln a'headla mptesting device;a housing, {a plurality oi vertically disposed mountingplates-*s'upported bysaid housing-each 'of said mounting plateshavingan" upturned lip po 1on, me a 's'on'said housing for adjustingsaid plates with respect to saidhousing a spring wir'e retaining clipremovably attachedto thenpturned lip portion of-e'achof said'mountingplates'; and' a light beam projector positioned betweensaidjclips-and'said mounting platesforremovable attachment to saiddevice.- 1

housing and having notches therein, each ofsaid mounting plates havingan upturned lip portion, means on said housing for {adjusting saidplates with respect to said hou's-' ing,-a spring wire ,'retaining' clip-removably attached to the upturnedlip portion of each of-saidmountingplates;

and'a lightfbeam projector receivedby said notches anddetachably'supported' by said retaining clips;

11; Apparatus adapted foruse'in-the adjustment of a' pairiof vehicleheadlamps comprisinga housing mounte'd to the lensof eachfo'f-the"lieadlamps,'- eachihousing having the longitudinal 'a ris thereo f,parallel with the longitudinal axis of an associatedheadlamp,verticallydisposed mount-i inggplates supported "by each- 'offsaidflhousingsj eachj 05 said plates, havingupturned lip portions;springwiregre taining clips .removably" attached togthe upturned 'lipportion of each' ofsaid mountingplate's; alight beam projector on eachofjsaid"ihousings'positioned'between asso-j ciatedfmounting plates:and'clips for removable attach 'ment to its associatedhousing,"and averticallydisposedf target on each of said housingsand. positioned sothat theplane thereoffis substantially normal to a plan'e passingthrough, the optical cente'r of'its associated projector, j eachiofsaidhousingsbeing so disposed thatia beam off light emiiiv d 'byftneassociatedfplfojector projects pnthe target of the housing at the"otherheadlanip fordete'n miningthe adjustment of'its associatedheadlamp; f

12' A device I for determining the-orientation of a 5 vehicle sealedbeam headlamp having aimingjsurfaces on" the lens thereofjsaid'.surfaces each 'being d isposed so that a plane passingparallelthereto'is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to theaxis of a beam of light emittedj through said*lens","said devicecomprising asupport mem berrhavinga longitudinalgaxis and a supportsurface aligned in, a planet substantially normal to said longitu: dinalaxis and'adapted to abutsaidaiming surfaceson" said lens to bring saidlongitudinal axis into fixed angularr relationship with respect to-theaxis of. an emitted-beam" of light, means for attaching: saidsupportmember to the iens of the headlamps; and means connected to saidsup-1; port member for projectinga spot of light in a predeten mineddirection Withrespect to the longitudinahaxi's of" said support member'for enabling the. determination'oi the orientation of the headlamp.

13'. A device for determining the orientation of a vehi-i cle sealedbeam headlamp having aiming surfaces on the lens thereof, said"surface's. being disposed so that a plane passing parallel' thereto isoriented at a predeter-' minedangle relative to the axisjofa'b'eamF-oflighternitted dirctlyattaehed'to a respec'tive one-of saidwallsfa feuuhroughsaisiess said dei i'e comprisin'g"a support-mem iQi lnagheadlamptesting device,"a housing'a plurality ofverticallydisposedmounting plates supported by said bar having alongitudinal axis and a supporting surface aligned in a planesubstantially normal to said longitudinal axis and adapted to abut saidaiming surfaces on said lens to bring said longitudinal axis into fixedangular relationship with respect to the axis of an emitted beam oflight, means for attaching said support member to the lens of theheadlamp, and means connected to said support member for projecting aspot of light along a plane substantially parallel with the plane ofsaid supporting surface to enable the orientation of said headlamp to bedetermined.

14 A headlamp aiming instrument adapted to be mounted on a sealed beamheadlamp unit having planar aiming surfaces cast integral therewithwhich are oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the axis of anemitted beam of light, said instrument comprising a housing havingplanar support surfaces adapted to contact said planar aiming surfacesand orient said housing in a fixed angular relationship with respect tothe axis of an emitted beam of light, means on said housing for engagingthe lens surface of said headlamp and holding said planar supportsurface in close contact with said planar aiming surfaces, meansconnected to said housing for indicating the orientation of said emittedbeam of light in a vertical plane, and a light projector connected tosaid housing for projecting a spot of light onto a target to indicatethe orientation of said emitted beam of light in a horizontal plane.

15. In a testing device for determining the orientation 10 of a vehicleheadlamp the combination of: a support member, a level, means forpivotally mounting one end of said level to said support member, aprojecting member connected to the other end of said level, a postcarried by said support member, an indexing wheel rotatably mounted onsaid post having a surface thereon contacting said projecting member,and a plurality of preset stop members carried by said indexing wheeland arranged thereon to contact said support member one at a time inresponse to indexing wheel rotation for determining the angular settingof the level relatively to the support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS976,416 Webber Nov. 22, 1910 2,101,077 Langsner Dec. 7, 1937 2,126,335Langsner Aug. 9, 1938 2,132,063 Whaley Oct. 4, 1938 2,176,214 Falge etal Oct. 17, 1939 2,337,502 Scott et a1 Dec. 21, 1943 2,450,484 DodgeOct. 5, 1948 2,514,878 Kuperus July 11, 1950 2,609,611 Dickson Sept. 9,1952 2,663,083 Harms Dec. 22, 1953 2,687,864 Kohler Aug. 31, 19542,762,592 Adams Sept. 11, 1956 2,797,494 Irwin July 2, 1957 2,831,262Falge et al Apr. 22, 1958

